RE: SOTW: MG ZS 180

[grosserbaby]

KardioKate said:

grosserbaby said:

I've seen an estate 45 and a ZS round brumigum, probably re-engineered with civic Aerodeck bits, although I confess others are unlikely.

Will be a pretend one.

That's sort of what I meant, either a civic with mg rover panels or vice versa.

[timarnold]

A friend of mine has three of these for hire with instruction on track days... they are brilliant cars as standard! There's virtually no body roll, the handling is excellent and their performance is very respectable. At Anglesey a few weeks ago we were passing a lot of more expensive and, race/track prepped cars!

There's a video here of one of my mate's cars doing a 2.13 around Oulton Park! That's not a bad time at all for a completely standard road car: www.billywhiz.co.uk/data-logging...

Edited by timarnold on Monday 20th August 21:02

[carinaman]

http://forums.xpowerforums.com/showthread.php?p=62...

[KardioKate]

timarnold said:

A friend of mine has three of these for hire with instruction on track days... they a brilliant cars as standard! There's virtually no body roll, the handling excellent and their performance is very respectable. At Anglesey a few weeks ago we were passing a lot of more expensive and, race/track prepped cars!

There's a video here of one of my mate's cars doing a 2.13 around Oulton Park! That's not a bad time at all for a completely standard road car: www.billywhiz.co.uk/data-logging...

Fantastic! I think I need a ZS.

[Budleigh]

sjc said:

Another Rover /MG thread + another thread full of biased, badge snobbery bks.
O.P, congrats, you're gonna have a lot of fun with that, quite likely more than you'll get out of a Meg Cab and Conti GT combined.It'll handle great,sound lovely and you can simply chuck it about at will.Have fun.

A bit late to the show, but I'll give it a bash. I would say that, contrary to what you suggest, this is a thread in which one or two people have expressed that they don't like the thing, only to have four or five ex/current owners angrily bash them down. It reads a bit defensively, notwithstanding that the most virulent posts seem to come from the Rover/MG owners.

Otherwise, an, er, interesting shed. Not my cup of tea - seems like a bit of a runt compared to the ZT, but not a bad way to spend the money, granted.

[900T-R]

Budleigh said:

seems like a bit of a runt compared to the ZT

Except that it's faster, handles better and makes a better noise (and yes, I drove all 3 back to back at the time)...

I'm not an owner or MGR apologist. I do think some of the disparaging comments here are just not very much in the spirit of PH, focusing on 'the imagine'( (c) Audi S-Line Luxury) rather than the drive or any other tangible aspect.

A lusty, rorty V6 in something barely weighing 1,200 kg posessed of an equisitely balanced FWD chassis with everything else perfectly acceptable for use as a daily hack, oh and it comes colours other than silver, black or dark blue, too - WTF is not to like for under a grand?

[Grovsie26]

My dad had a facelift V6 Version in Silver, and it was a nice car. Interior was a lot better than the first version as i recall.

The engine was quite sweet too, though obviously not that impressive numbers wise.

[Budleigh]

900T-R said:

Except that it's faster, handles better and makes a better noise (and yes, I drove all 3 back to back at the time)...

I'm not an owner or MGR apologist. I do think some of the disparaging comments here are just not very much in the spirit of PH, focusing on 'the imagine'( (c) Audi S-Line Luxury) rather than the drive or any other tangible aspect.

A lusty, rorty V6 in something barely weighing 1,200 kg posessed of an equisitely balanced FWD chassis with everything else perfectly acceptable for use as a daily hack, oh and it comes colours other than silver, black or dark blue, too - WTF is not to like for under a grand?

I'm sure it's all of those wonderful things and more. But the basic car to which all of those attributes adhere is not as pleasant as the 75-based ZT. And yes, I live in a part of the world with vast distances between places, such that a car with that rather disappointing interior would not pass the muster. And yes, I'm aware that an equivalent Astra/Golf is not much to write home about either, but they are better, as they should be.

As to the "disparaging comments", this was what occasioned my original post - there was a great wailing and gnashing of teeth from the MGR fans when in reality it didn't seem to receive any more or any less schtick than a slightly spotty E34 520i tourer would. People can dislike the thing without necessarily having some nefarious anti-Rover bent motivating them. And of course it's assumed that if you don't like it, it's because you prefer some sort of image-conscious Voldi product. I don't. Golf 4s are horrid things. As I suggested, the defensiveness almost becomes ironic.

In short, this car has many things to endear one to it. It also has some negatives. Like anything else out there.

[Mr2Mike]

Budleigh said:

I'm sure it's all of those wonderful things and more. But the basic car to which all of those attributes adhere is not as pleasant as the 75-based ZT.

If pleasant means comfort and interior quality then very few people would (or at least should) disagree. If pleasant means the best performance and best driving experience, the ZS180 walks away with that prize.

[Chrisw666]

I like these, I test drove a yellow saloon back to back with a Cooper S just after the MCS had been launched.

The Mini was a fantastic handling thing and it really got under my skin, the post options list £18k price didn't.

The ZS was a car I expected to disappoint, but it did the exact opposite. In the time I had behind the wheel it didn't seem to do fun handling as well as the contempary ford focus but it did power delivery, outright pace and mechanical grip through smooth corners with an astonishing level of competence. Given the age of the base car at the time of the MG's launch the engineers did an incredible job of building a car that was greater than the sum of its parts.

I choose not to buy one because of the mpg and interior feeling a bit low rent, however that was a c£15k new one and at c£1k the interior thing doesn't matter and I can imagine one with decent OEM suspension and good tyres being a fantastic way to pootle around day to day that allows you to bruise some egos on track days.

[bigbadbikercats]

Mr2Mike said:

Budleigh said:

I'm sure it's all of those wonderful things and more. But the basic car to which all of those attributes adhere is not as pleasant as the 75-based ZT.

If pleasant means comfort and interior quality then very few people would (or at least should) disagree. If pleasant means the best performance and best driving experience, the ZS180 walks away with that prize.

The ZT actually drives astonishingly, nay, ridiculously well too, just in a slightly different (dare I say more grown up?) way. For my money (which, as a happy ZT owner who absolutely wouldn't say no to a ZR for those days when I haven't got a long haul to do with a couple of lanky teenagers in the back, it is) it's really more down to individual preference (or mood) than one being better than the other...

[MGJohn]

AdeV said:

sjc said:

Another Rover /MG thread + another thread full of biased, badge snobbery bks.

Are you kidding? This is the least "I hate Rover" Rover thread I've ever seen on PH.

Yes, agreed and that makes a really refreshing change.

I wanted one of these as soon as they were available. I had hoped the ZS would appear in turbocharged form, ideally with the T-Series as used in the Rover 620ti. However, no turbocharged ZS ever appeared. However, I was not the only one who wanted a T-Series Turbo ZS.

If you want even more power than the V6 and better economy, slide a Rover T-Series Turbocharged engine in one and you'll have a surprisingly good sleeper. The transplant has been done many times and the strong shell shares many similarities to the 400/420s which had T-Series engines in production, both NASP and Forced induction. If interested, search for examples with the transplant.

Before they went into production, I had a good run in a pre-production MG ZS 180 factory "mule". I was impressed. A little later, I along with my MG Montego ( for comparison ) were invited along to Snetterton where Jason Plato was putting a V6 MG ZS through its paces for a TV programme. I took lots of pictures and my then young sons came along too enjoying the day. Plato was very complimentary about the ZS's handling and confirmed that when the programme appeared.

I know of one Rover 45 with the turbo T-Series transplant. Cars rarely come more 'sleeper' than that.

Here's a fine T-Series MG ZS transplant in MKII MG ZS :~



This is the thread about this MK11 ZS over on Rovertech.net :~

http://www.rovertech.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&...

The MK11 cars are easily recognised as most have that Shark's Gill vent effect in the front wings. They are a good looking car to my old eyes but, I actually prefer the MK1 ZS styling. We have a couple of MG ZS in the family. One bought new in 2003 driven mainly by my good lady. She is the most un-car person you could ever meet but, is enthusiastic about the car and loves driving the MG ZS. That alone says it all.
.

[MGJohn]

b15owe said:

Maxfly said:

Here we go,


And excuse my cameraman, absolutely shocking I am afraid http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/Maxfly/ZS%2...


Have to say had hardly any issues with mine, a soggy alarm sounder was one but an easy fix even though it gave scary symptoms when it intitally went and a couple of wheel bearings is all i can think of.

rear wheel bearings gone on mine now, just ordered two off ebay for next to nothing

The MG ZS bought new in 2003 has been near faultless. Nine years on still drives like new. Just routine consumables.

Worn rear wheel bearings. Never heard of that until the tidy one I bought back in January had a hum in the bum! At motorway speeds, a loud one too! Removed both rear hubs and discovered the bearings had been packed with COPPER BASED GREASE! What plonker would do that!



Unbelievable! On a car with a genuine 45,000 miles. The previous owner entrusted the maintenance of his car to some incompetent outfit I guess.

Visiting a local breaker yard a few days earlier, discovered a Rover 420 Diesel with both rear wheels and brake calipers removed leaving nearly new rear discs and hub assemblies ...the same size as those on the ZS! Soon had those hubs off and bought the complete assemblies for twenty quid. Even if they would not be up to the job, I was assured of a full refund on return. Fitted the Hub/Bearing assembly, packed with LM Grease and immediate cure... Silent running ...



Sorted.

Considering how little these can be obtained for, the car is a joy to drive ~ here it is :~

[baldy1926]

Daft question ime.
Are there any differences between the hatch and salon apart from the body work.
Also what are the 1.8 120hp ones like to run and own.
Thanks

[KardioKate]

baldy1926 said:

Daft question ime.
Are there any differences between the hatch and salon apart from the body work.
Also what are the 1.8 120hp ones like to run and own.
Thanks

I don't believe so.

I have the Rover 45 with the 1.8 engine. To drive it is lovely. Obviously the MG has, I believe, a better suspension set up.

The 1.8 is never going to be massively powerful, but it has enough go to it to make a decent B road blaster, and will certainly do motorway work just fine.

[baldy1926]

thanks for that,might even look at a 1.8 as a run around

[MGJohn]

baldy1926 said:

Daft question ime.
Are there any differences between the hatch and salon apart from the body work.
Also what are the 1.8 120hp ones like to run and own.
Thanks

We have one of each. Hatch version very useful.

I can answer that. We bought a new 1.8 ZS 120+ 5-Door in 2003 and it has never missed a beat. Mainly driven by my wife, she likes the car after nine years living with it day to day. She will expect it to last another nine years too and will happy about that. Cheap as chips to run, own and insure with simple TLC maintenance which I do. Car has never been serviced professionally.

On a whim I bought a 54-plate MG ZS 120 back in the winter. Previous owner sold it as he'd been advised the coolant loss was the cylinder head gasket on the way out. I bought it on that basis at appropriate price expecting to rectify the gasket as I enjoy working on cars now I'm fully retired and want to be productive. The coolant loss was simply a worn Water Pump. nothing wrong with the CHG in this 45,000 mile lightly used example. I replaced that pump ( cost £20 ) along with the new Timing Belt and Belt Tensioner the previous owner had bought for the car but never had them fitted before decision to sell.

You have to disturb all three belts to renew the water pump anyway so three birds one stone bonus scenario. Car is no slouch either and handles like an MG ZS is designed to do.

Point-to-point longer journeys in the ZS 120 are about the same as in my 200ps Turbocharged cars.... or, most cars come to that.

[excel monkey]

grosserbaby said:

KardioKate said:

grosserbaby said:

I've seen an estate 45 and a ZS round brumigum, probably re-engineered with civic Aerodeck bits, although I confess others are unlikely.

Will be a pretend one.

That's sort of what I meant, either a civic with mg rover panels or vice versa.

Like these: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=398985

[JamesHayward]

I'm in need of a winter shed when I take the Roadster off the road for some surgery. I've been looking at VTEC Civic's, Clio 172's (had one already though) and I can't help looking back at the ZS 180...

My mate's recently bought the ZT CDTi and as much as I take the piss at it being a diesel Rover with a bodykit, it is a surprisingly excellent car. I've asked around some people in the know and it seems the ZS really is worth a punt. I've decided it must be the V6 as I feel if I get something more economical I won't use the MX-5 as much. I can't help thinking I couldn't do better for the money.

Going to look at a couple soon I think.

[YesItsAVW]

If you want some audio aids to help convince you that you need a V6 for awhile, please try the videos of my old MG ZS 180 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaxA9YJ9OFs&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjm-F0y1oS4&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6j-f9B94Us&fea...


I miss mine.....